Community Q&A 04/21/03

Name: Kathy Bertrand

Lives in: Cape Girardeau

Family: Husband, David; two sons, Adam, age 23, and Benjamin, age 18.

Job: Senior commercial lender, US Bank

What do you like most about the area? It's hard to pick one particular thing. Basically, the whole "package." Being able to enjoy every season, being close enough to larger cities to take advantage of what they have to offer without the necessity of living in the city, raising my children in a "small town" atmosphere with plenty of "larger town" opportunities. Most importantly, it's my home, and my family is here.

Favorite food: Impossible to pick one favorite -- ask anyone who knows me!

Favorite TV show: "Bewitched." My oldest son is named after Darrin and Samantha's son, Adam. (There are more similarities, but then one might consider me odd.)

Best advice: Start your day with prayer.

Person you most admire: My mother. A woman who ALWAYS does the right thing because that's simply what you do. A woman who ALWAYS takes time for others first. A woman with the kindest heart of anyone I know. A Christian woman who ALWAYS asks me the same question -- "Have you prayed about it?"

What would you do if you won the lottery? I wish I could give some earth-shattering answer, but it's probably the same as many others. Take care of my family. Contribute to my church and a few other worthwhile organizations. And use it to bring some happiness into other people's lives when they need it the most and expect it the least.

Pet peeve: The growing acceptance of mediocrity, along with the lack of believing in taking responsibility for your own actions.

Community members are invited to submit pictures to the Southeast Missourian offices at 108 S. Hope St., Jackson, or 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, for use in future Q&A columns. Call Chris Pagano at 335-6611, extension 133, or e-mail cpagano@semissourian.com for more information.